Seat base assembly of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A modified OEM vehicle having an interior for accommodating a passenger in a wheelchair including a floor base assembly, a seat, and a seat base assembly operatively connected to the seat. The seat base assembly includes a lower seat base assembly configured to be coupled to the floor base assembly, an upper seat base assembly pivotably coupled to the lower seat base assembly, and an actuator coupled to the lower seat base assembly and to the upper seat assembly. The the actuator includes a retracted position in which the seat is located in a seated position and an extended position in which the seat is located in a tilted position, wherein the tilted position of the seat provides additional space for the wheelchair within the interior of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/458,097 having the title “Seat Base Assembly ofa Vehicle” filed Feb. 13, 2017, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present application relates to a passenger vehicle for transportingone or more passengers, and more particularly to a passenger vehiclewhich is retrofitted for transporting one or more passengers seated in awheelchair.

BACKGROUND

Automobile manufacturers do not currently mass-produce passengervehicles specifically designed to transport passengers having physicallimitations, either as a driver or as a non-driving passenger.Consequently, mass-produced passenger vehicles are modified, orretrofitted, by a number of aftermarket companies dedicated to supplyingvehicles to physically limited passengers. Such vehicles can be modifiedby removing certain parts or structures within a vehicle and replacingthose parts with parts specifically designed to accommodate thephysically limited passenger. For example, in one configuration a van isretrofitted with a ramp to enable a physically limited individual usinga wheelchair to enter the vehicle without the assistance of anotherperson.

Other known products for retrofitting a vehicle, such as a van, includewheel chair lifts, lift platforms, and lowered floor surfaces. In someinstances, a door of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) van isenlarged or otherwise modified to permit entry of the physically limitedindividual through what is known as the assisted entrance. Once insidethe vehicle, individuals who use the assisted entrance are often locatedin a rear passenger compartment of the van adjacent to or behind theassisted entrance.

While these seating locations provide for the transport of thephysically limited individual, such locations do not always lendthemselves to providing good sightlines which enable the passenger tosee a complete view of the road and the surrounding scenery.Consequently, what is needed is a modification to an OEM vehicle whichallows the physically limited individual seated in a wheelchair to belocated in the front passenger compartment, either as the passenger oras the driver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present invention and the manner ofobtaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational side view of a sport utility vehicleincluding an access ramp.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan sectioned view of a sport utility vehicleincluding a positionable shifter assembly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a seat assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a seat base assembly for the seat assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a floor base assembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a floor base assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of the seat base assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a mounting projection.

FIG. 9 illustrates a portion of the mounting projection of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a portion of a seat base assembly includingreceivers.

FIG. 11 illustrates a receiver of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12A illustrates a further embodiment of a perspective top view ofseat base assembly capable of articulating.

FIG. 12B illustrates a perspective bottom view of seat base assemblycapable of articulating.

FIG. 12C illustrates an exploded perspective top view of seat baseassembly capable of articulating including a lower seat base assemblyand an upper seat base assembly.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an upper seat baseassembly.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a perspective top view of seatbase assembly capable of articulating.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective bottom view of seat base assemblycapable of articulating.

FIG. 16A illustrates a perspective bottom view of a foot pedal coupledto the seat base assembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16B illustrates a side view of a foot pedal actuator in a firstposition activated by a foot pedal.

FIG. 16C illustrates a side view of a foot pedal actuator in a secondposition activated by a foot pedal.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective bottom view of a tilt releasemechanism coupled to the seat base assembly of FIG. 15.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art mayappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a sport utility vehicle (SUV) 10 available from anynumber of United States and foreign manufacturers. In the illustratedembodiment, the SUV, also called a crossover vehicle, includes a unibodyconstruction, but other SUV's having a frame on body construction, arealso included in the present disclosure. Consequently, the use of SUVherein includes all types and kinds of sport utility vehiclesconstructed with a body on frame construction, a unibody construction,or other constructions. In addition, while the SUV is illustrated inFIG. 1, the present disclosure is directed to all passenger vehiclescarrying one or more passengers, including vans and sedans.

FIG. 1 illustrates the SUV 10 including a body 12 operatively coupled tofront wheels 14 and rear wheels 16. The SUV 10 includes a unibodyconstruction. A first passenger side door 18 is located between thefront wheels 14 and rear wheels 16 and provides access to a passengerfor sitting in a front seat of the vehicle adjacent to the driver. Inthis position, the passenger has a clearer view of the road whencompared to sitting in a middle row or back row of seats of the vehicle.

The SUV 10 has been modified to include a second passenger side door 20coupled to the unibody frame through a mechanical linkage (not shown).In other embodiments, the side door 20 is coupled to the unibody framethrough a sliding mechanism. In this embodiment, the second passengerside door has been modified to slide along a track (not shown), asopposed to the manufacturer supplied door which is hinged to swing awayfrom the vehicle, as is understood by those skilled in the art. Inaddition to modifying the door 20 to slide along the track, an opening22 to the interior, in some embodiments, is modified or widened toprovide access to a passenger seated in a wheelchair. The opening isdefined on the sides thereof by an edge of the door 20 and the edge ofthe door 18. The vehicle is further modified to include a ramp assembly24 which provides rolling access of the wheelchair from pavement 26 intoan interior 28 of the vehicle 10. To provide sufficient room for theramp assembly 24 to be carried in the vehicle, the pre-existing floor ofthe vehicle may be removed and a new floor is installed which is lowerthan the old floor. The lowered floor of the vehicle provides a storagelocation for the ramp assembly 24 and also increases the headspace for awheelchaired passenger. The ramp assembly 24 is installed at the opening22 and is movable between the interior of the vehicle, where it isstored in some embodiments, and to the exterior for wheelchair access.

In known modified vehicles, such as modified vans, the middle row ofseats is removed from the manufacturer supplied vehicle to enable accessto a wheelchair supporting a passenger. Once the wheelchaired passengermoves into the interior of the vehicle, the passenger or caregiverlocates the wheelchair in the middle portion of the interior behind thedriver and passenger seats of the front row. While the wheelchairedpassenger is readily and safely transported by the vehicle, when locatedat this position, the passenger can have difficulty communicating withthe driver and difficulty viewing the road and surrounding scenery. Thislocation is therefore often frustrating for many individuals,particularly those individuals who led active lives prior to becomingdisabled and who continue to be active. As used herein, wheelchairedpassenger is used to indicate that the individual is making use of awheelchair, whether that use is temporary or permanent.

Over the past few years, the number of wheelchaired individuals whodesire to lead full active lives has increased. To accommodate suchindividuals, the SUV has become a preferred vehicle of choice,particularly with military veterans who received disabilities duringtheir tours of duty. Consequently, the SUV 10 is further modified orretrofitted as illustrated in FIG. 2 to provide a location for thewheelchaired passenger to be located in the front passenger compartmentat either a driver side location 30 or a passenger side location 32,next the driver. To retrofit the vehicle 10, a manufactured SUV ispurchased from a dealer or directly from the manufacturer, and in oneembodiment, the manufacturer supplied center console is disassembled orremoved from the vehicle. In particular, the original shifter isseparated from other manufacturer supplied components and reused andlocated in the front passenger compartment in a positionable shifterassembly 34, as described herein.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the driver side location 30 and the passengerside location 32 are located in a front passenger compartment on eitherside of the positionable shifter assembly 34, which includes a centerconsole 36 and a shifter 38. In this embodiment, the shifter assembly 34is configured to move along a line 40 such that the shifter assembly 34is positionable within the front passenger compartment to eitherincrease or decrease the amount of usable floor area in either of thedriver side location 30 and the passenger side location 32. When movedcloser to the driver side location 30, the passenger side position 32 isenlarged sufficiently to accommodate a wheelchair 42. In anotherembodiment, a seat 44 is removed and the shifter assembly 34 is movedtoward the passenger side position 32 to accommodate the wheelchair 42when located in the driver side location 30. While a positionableshifter assembly 34 is illustrated, in other embodiments, the originalshifter assembly is not replaced, and remains fixed in the frontpassenger compartment.

The vehicle 10 is further retrofitted, in one embodiment, to enable boththe driver side location 30 and the passenger side location 32 toinclude one of the wheelchair 42 or a seat 44. In the event a seat 44 isdesired in one of the locations 30 and 32, a seat assembly 50 of FIG. 3is placed in a recessed area of one of the locations 30 and 32. The seatassembly 50 in other embodiments is located in both positions, but oneor both is removable to accommodate a wheelchaired passenger. Therecessed area is formed during the retrofit of the vehicle to lower thefloor. Each of the driver side location 30 and the passenger sidelocation 32 includes the recessed area in one embodiment. In otherembodiments, however, one recessed area is located at one of the driverside location 30 and the passenger side location 32, but not the other.

FIG. 3 illustrates the seat assembly 50 configured to be located in thedriver side location 30. While a passenger side seat assembly is notdiscussed, the seat assembly 50 for a passenger side location 32 issubstantially similar but is a mirrored configuration of the driver sideseat assembly.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the seat assembly 50 includes a seat 52mounted to and supported by a base assembly 54. The base assembly 54includes a riser 56 upon which the seat 52 is located. A lower seat base58 supports the riser 56. In one embodiment, the seat 52 is configuredto slide along the riser 56 to adjust the seat location within thedriver side location 30.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower seat base 58 includes a seatdolly 60 configured to support a frame structure 62. The frame structure62 is coupled to and supports the riser 56 and the seat 52. The framestructure 62 includes a first portion 64 generally defining a firstsupport surface 66 and a second portion 68. The first support surface 66defines a generally planar support surface configured to support theseat 52 in a level position. The second portion 68 also defines agenerally planar support surface which is configured to support a floorsection upon which a passenger places their feet. In one embodiment, thesecond portion 68 is disposed slightly lower than a surrounding floorportion such that a floor insert placed on the second portion 68provides a flush surface between the floor insert and surrounding floor.In different embodiments, the frame structure 62 includes one or moreindividual one-piece parts each of which are configured to provide acomplete frame structure 62.

The seat dolly 60 supports the frame structure 62 and includes aplurality of wheels 70A and 70B, which are shown in FIG. 4, and oneadditional wheel 70C as shown in FIG. 7. While the seat dolly 60embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 7 includes three wheels 70, in differentembodiments, different numbers of wheels are included. The wheel 70A ismounted to a swivel caster 72 at a front end 74 and the wheels 70B and70C are mounted respectively on a rod 79B and 79C.

As shown in FIG. 4, the seat dolly 60 includes a frame 73 including aside 75 connected to the front end 74. While not shown in FIG. 4, theseat dolly 60 includes a rear end coupled to the side 75 and alsocoupled to a second side 77 of FIG. 7. In different embodiments, theframe 73 is made of one or more single piece parts.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a floor base assembly 76 which islocated in the recessed portion of the vehicle 10 and which isconfigured to fixedly locate the seat assembly 50 with respect to thevehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the floor base assembly 76includes a width 78 and a length 80 which fits similar dimensions of thefloor recess such that fixing the floor base assembly 76 to the vehiclerecess requires reduced fastening requirements. The floor base assembly76 includes a floor section 82 defining a substantially planar surfacesuch that the seat assembly 50 is rolled onto the floor section 82 forlocating the seat assembly 50 into position. Since the wheel 70A iscaster mounted, the front end 74 of the dolly 60 is movable from side-toside to enable alignment of the seat assembly 50 with respect to thedriver side location 30, where the floor base assembly 76 is located.

The wheel 70A provides for directional control of the front end 74 suchthat movement of the seat assembly 50 toward a front portion 84 engagesa first mounting projection 86 and second mounting projection 88 (seeFIG. 4) with a mounting bracket 90 of the floor base assembly 76. Themounting bracket 90 includes first and second receivers 92 and 94, eachof which is configured to respectively receive the first mountingprojection 86 and the second mounting projection 88. Once the seatassembly 50 has been moved forward to engage the projections 86 and 88to the receivers 92 and 94, the seat dolly 60 is positioned to be fixedin place to the floor base assembly 76.

The floor section 82 includes a first recess 96 and a second recess 98.Each of the first and second recesses 96 and 98 define a cavity 100which extends into the floor section 82 and which are configured toreceive a first hook 102A (see FIG. 4) and a second hook 102B (see FIG.7). Each of the hooks 102A and 102B includes a recess 104 which engage apin 106 of the floor section 82. Engagement of the hooks 102 with thepins 106 holds the seat assembly 50 in place with respect to the floorbase assembly 76.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a floor base assembly 110 whichincludes a floor section 112 having a length 114, similar in length tothe length 80 of the floor base assembly 76 of FIG. 5. A width 116 ofthe floor section 112 is longer than the width 78 of the floor section82 and is sufficient to provide a driver side locating area 118 and apassenger side locating area 120. The floor section 112 includes afirst, second, third, and fourth locating recesses 121, 122, 123, and124. Each of the recesses defines a cavity and each is configured toaccept the hooks of the seat dolly 60. Each of the recesses includes aU-shaped member 126 including an engaging pin 128 which is engaged byone of the hooks of the seat dolly 60. In the illustrated embodiment, anend of the U-shaped member 126, opposite the engaging pins 128, isrotatably coupled to the floor section 112. Engagement of the hook tothe engaging pin 128, thereby moves the members U-shaped 126 such thatan engagement pressure is applied by the hook to the U-shaped member 126to maintain a pressurized contact therebetween. When not engaged by thehooks of the seat dolly 60, the U-shaped members move into therespective recesses so as not to obstruct items, materials, or personslocated on the floor section 112.

As with the floor base assembly 76, the floor base assembly 110 includesa mounting bracket 130, which includes first, second, third and fourthreceivers 132, 134, 136, and 138, each of which is configured to engageone of the mounting projections. For instance, the first and secondreceivers 132 and 134 are configured to receive the first mountingprojection 86 and the second mounting projection 88 of FIG. 4. If apassenger side seat assembly is provided, the passenger side seatassembly includes similar projections each of which is configured toengage the receivers 136 and 138.

The mounting bracket 130 extends from and substantially perpendicular tofloor section 112. The mounting bracket 130 includes one or more singlepart pieces arranged to provide the receivers. Each of the receivers132, 134, 136, and 138 define a recess into which the mountingprojections extend when the seat assembly is fixed in place on the floorsection 112 through engagement of the hooks 102 to the U-shaped members126. The mounting bracket 130, in one embodiment, is connected to thefirewall of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket130 includes a first aperture 140 and a second aperture 142 whichreceive a connector to thereby fixedly connect the floor base assembly110 to the firewall.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of the frame 73 of the seat dolly 60 havingthe front end 74 and the second side 77. The first side 75 and a backbracket are removed for illustrating further details of the seat dolly60. The frame 73 supports a latch assembly 150 which includes amechanical actuator 152 having a first end 154 coupled to a supportbracket 156 and a second end 158 rotatably coupled to the hook 102B atthe first end 158. The mechanical actuator 152, in one embodiment asillustrated, includes a hydraulic cylinder having a cylinder rod 160defining the second end 158.

A rod 162 extends from one side to the other side of the frame 73 and isrotatably supported by the frame 73. An end 164 extends past the firstside 75 (see FIG. 4) to be accessible to a user of the seat assembly 50.In the embodiment of FIG. 1, an actuator 166 is fixedly coupled to theend 164. At this location, the actuator 166 is between the driver sidearea and passenger side area. Movement of the actuator 166 engages anddisengages the hooks 102A and 102 B with a respective pin 106 or arespective U-shaped member 126. The other end (not shown) of the rod 162extend into and is supported by a stiffener bracket 165. In otherembodiments, the actuator 166 is located on an opposite side of theillustrated seat assembly 60, between a door and the seat assembly 60.

Each of the hooks 102A and 102B are fixedly coupled to the rod 162 suchthat rotation of the rod 162 about the axis thereof moves the hooks 102into and out of engagement with the pins or U-shaped members. Rotationof the rod 162 in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated moveshooks 102A away from the pins or U-shaped members to enable movement ofthe seat assembly 50 from the fixed location. Rotation of the rod 162 inthe clockwise direction moves the hooks 102A toward the pins or U-shapedmembers to fix the location of the seat assembly 50 with the base.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the mounting projection 86 of FIG.4. Mounting projection 88 is similarly configured as projection 86 andthe discussion with regard to projection 86 of FIG. 8 similarlydescribes the projection 88. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the mountingprojection 86 includes a first mounting bracket 170 and a secondmounting bracket 172. Each of the brackets 170 and 172 are similarlyconfigured and include a right angle configuration in which a firstportion 174 includes an aperture through which a connector 176 isinserted into a front bracket 178 of front end 74 of FIG. 4. A secondportion 180 extends from the first portion 174 at a substantially rightangle. The second portion 180 of each of the brackets 170 and 172 arespaced a distance apart to define a space therebetween in which aresilient member 182 is located. Each of the second portions 178 areconfigured to support a guide piece 184, which are each coupled to oneof the respective brackets 170 and 174.

As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, each of the guide pieces 184 include a groove186 configured to accept a pin 188 of the receivers 132 and 134 asillustrated in FIG. 6 and as further described in FIGS. 10 and 11. Thegroove 186 includes a front portion 190 configured to guide thereceivers into engagement with the pin 188. The front portion 190includes a first guide feature 192 which provides a first ramp structureto guide the projection 86 and 88 into engagement with the pin 188. Asecond guide feature 194 includes a second ramp structure to guide theprojections 86 and 88 into the appropriate receiver through guidingcontact with a side wall 196 and 198 (see FIG. 10). If the alignment ofthe seat dolly 60 is slightly offset from the receivers, the first andsecond guide features 192 and 194 direct the mounting projection intoalignment with the receivers as the seat dolly 60 is moved forward tolocate the pins 188 into the groove 186.

The resilient member 182 includes a channel 200 having a width dimensionless than a width dimension of the groove 186. The width dimension ofthe groove 186 is the same dimension or slightly larger as a diameter ofthe pin 188. The width dimension of the channel 200, however, is lessthan the diameter of the pin 188. Consequently, as the dolly 60 is movedtoward the receivers, the channel 200 of resilient member 182 expandsfrom the engagement with the pin 188. The pin compresses with structureof the member 182 and provides a press fit with the pin 188. Once thedolly 60 is aligned with the base, movement of the actuator 166 engagesthe channel 200 into further engagement with the pin 188. Thecompression fit between the channel 200 and the pin 188 restrictsmovement of the dolly 60 with respect to the base and absorbs roadconditions to provide a passenger with a relatively vibration-freeanti-rattle seating arrangement.

In one embodiment, the resilient member 182 is made of rubber, a rubbercompound, or a reinforced rubber. In additional embodiments, the guidepieces 184 are made of a plastic or a reinforced plastic. In otherembodiments, the resilient member 182 and guide pieces 184 are made of asingle one piece molded part having a similar shape to the multiplepiece projection. The material of the single piece part is selected toprovide for the features described above.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the receivers 132 and 134 (see FIG. 60, eachof which is similarly configured. As described above, each of thereceivers includes the pin 188, the side wall 196, and the side wall198. Each of the side walls 196 and 198 are similarly configured todefine a recess into which the projections are received. The recessincludes a floor 202 and a ceiling 204, each of which is connected tothe side walls 196 and 198. Each of the side walls 196 and 198 include afirst planar portion 206 and a second planar portion 208, each of whichare inclined with respect to a central axis 210. The angle of the firstplanar portion 206 with respect to the central axis 210 is greater thanthe angle of the second planar portion 208 with respect to the centralaxis 210, such that insertion of the projection into a recess isprogressively directed to a central location within the recess.

As described herein, the seat assembly provides an improvedconfiguration for a retrofitted vehicle. In particular, the seatassembly, while described as being located in either the driver sidelocation or the front passenger side location, in other embodiments, theseat assembly is located in one or more other passenger locations withina vehicle. The seat assembly, therefore, provides a configurable vehicledesigned to accommodate individuals of different physical capabilities.In addition, the vehicle is configurable to a vehicle seating onlyphysically capable individuals, in the event that the physical limitedindividual continues to improve and no longer requires wheelchairtransportation.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle of FIG. 1may be modified further to open a B-pillar area (i.e., part of thevehicle frame between the front passenger door 18 and the rear passengerdoor 20. In doing so, ingress and egress of the wheelchair is madeeasier. In this embodiment, a modified seat base assembly may haveincreased maneuverability to provide additional space in the interior ofthe vehicle for the wheelchaired passenger. The seat base assembly maybe located on either the driver's or passenger's side of the vehicle,and in particular, in either location 30 or 32 of FIG. 2. The seat basemay be articulated either manually or automatically. For example, ahandle may be provided on the seat base in which a user may use toarticulate the seat base. The handle can be coupled to a cable thatreleases a latch on the seat base and allows the seat and seat base tolift upwards and pivot forward from the vehicle floor.

As shown in FIG. 12A, a perspective top view of a seat base assembly1200 is shown including an upper seat base assembly 1202 and a lowerseat base assembly 1204. The lower seat base assembly 1204 may becoupled to the floor of the vehicle. The upper seat base assembly 1202may be pivotably coupled to the lower seat base assembly 1204. A seat,such as seat 52 in FIG. 3, may be coupled to the upper seat baseassembly 1202 in any conventional manner.

FIG. 12B illustrates a perspective bottom view of the seat base assembly1200 including the upper seat base assembly 1202 and the lower seat baseassembly 1204.

As further illustrated in FIG. 12C, an exploded perspective bottom viewof seat base assembly capable of articulating including the lower seatbase assembly 1204 and the upper seat base assembly 1202 is shown.

A floor latch 1212 may be located on the lower seat base assembly 1204for latching the seat base assembly 1200 to the floor base assembly 76.The floor latch 1212 is pulled up to release the seat base assembly fromthe floor base assembly 76 for removing the assembly 1200 from thevehicle. The assembly 1200 is re-engaged with the floor base assembly 76by appropriately locating the assembly 1200 by pushing down on the latch1212, typically by pressure applied by the foot of user. In oneembodiment, the lower seat base assembly 1204 includes first and secondmounting projections 1207 configured to engage first and secondreceivers, such as first and second receivers 92 and 94 of FIG. 5.

As shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C, a pair of actuators 1206 may bepivotably coupled to the upper seat base assembly 1202 and the lowerseat base assembly 1204. The actuators 1206, which may be electric,hydraulic, mechanical, or any known type of actuator, may extend toarticulate the upper seat base assembly 1202 upwards and pivot itforward toward a front end of the vehicle. In doing so, additional spacebehind the seat is provided for a wheelchair to more easily fit withinthe interior of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the actuators 1206 arecompression gas cylinders which when released from a compressed statemove the upper seat base assembly 1202 away from the lower seat baseassembly 1204 about a pivot. As the gas cylinders release, the seattilts with respect to the lower seat base assembly 1204 and moves from aseated position to a tilted position.

To move the seat back to its seated or lowered position, the upper seatbase assembly 1202 may be pushed down towards the vehicle floor and theweight of the seat base assembly can assist with this movement.

Besides articulating the upper seat base assembly 1202 between itsforward position and lowered position, the entire seat assembly 1200 maybe removed from the vehicle. A securing assembly includes a securinghandle 1208 configured to actuate hooks (not shown), located in firstand second catch assemblies 1211 of the lower frame assembly 1204. Thehooks in different embodiments, are similar to or the same as the hooks102A and 102B of FIG. 7. The hooks engage pins 100 of the floor baseassembly 76 to secure the seat assembly 1200 to the floor. The hooksautomatically engage the pins 100 when the seat is located at the baseassembly 76. Pulling the handle 1208 away from the seat base assembly1200 releases the hooks from the pins 100 to enable removal of the seatbase assembly 1200. A cable 1210 is operatively connected to the hooksto release the hooks from being latched to the pins.

FIG. 13 illustrates a tilt release mechanism of one embodiment includinga handle 1220 which is coupled to a frame 1222 of the upper seat baseassembly 1202. The handle 1208 and related cable 1210 are not shown inFIG. 13. The handle 1220 is coupled to a first tilt cable 1224 and asecond tilt cable 1226 each of which is operatively connected to a cable1228. Moving the handle, by pulling for instance, away from the frame1222, adjusts the position of a first latch 1230 coupled to the cable1224 and a second latch 1232 coupled to the cable 1226. As the handle1220 is pulled away from the frame 1222, each of the first latch 1230and the second latch 1232 rotate back, or in a counterclockwisedirection as illustrated. The first latch 1230 and second latch 1232 areeach rotatably connected to the frame 1222.

When the seat 52 is in the un-tilted or seated position, the first latch1230 and the second latch 1232 each engage and are operatively connectedto a rod 1236 of the lower seat base assembly 1204 as seen in FIG. 12C.By moving the handle 1220 away from the frame 1222, the latches 1230 and1232 disengage from or are released from the rod 1236. The rod 1236 issupported by a frame 1238 of the lower seat base assembly 1204 andextends between sides thereof. As the latches 1230 and 1232 disengagefrom the rod 1236, the actuators 1206 are released from the compressedstate and extend to tilt the upper support base 1202 with respect to thelower support base 1204. In other embodiments, the lower support baseincludes pins extending from the sidewalls of the frame 1238 which areengaged by the latches 1230 and 1232.

To return the seat to the seated position, downward pressure is appliedto the seat to compress the actuators 1206, until the latches 1230 and1232 engage the rod 1236. With sufficient pressure, the latches open toreceive the rod 1236 and then close around the rod 1236 to maintain theseat in the seated position.

To provide for the tilting of the seat 54, the upper support base 1202is pivotably coupled to the lower support base 1204, at a first pivotlocation 1240 (see FIG. 12C) and a second pivot location (not shown) onan opposite side of the frame 1238. A pair of pivot pins 1242 arelocated at the first pivot location 1240 and the second pivot location.The frame 1222 of the upper support base 1202 includes a first aperture1244 and a second aperture 1246 each of which are sized to locatebushings 1248. The bushings 1248 are located in the apertures 1244 and1246 and are configured to receive the pivot pins 1242. The first andsecond apertures 1244 and 1246 define an axis of rotation about whichthe upper support base 1202 tilts with respect to the lower support base1204. The axis of rotation is generally horizontal with respect to thefloor of the vehicle. In other embodiments, a rod extends between thefirst aperture 1244 and the second aperture 1246 to provide forinclining the upper base portion 1202 with the lower base portion 1204.A connector 1250 is supported by the frame 1222 to provide for a cableconnection as would be understood by one skilled in the art.

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective top view of another embodiment of theseat base assembly 1200 including an upper seat base assembly 1260 and alower seat base assembly 1262. The lower seat base assembly 1262 may becoupled to the floor of the vehicle. The upper seat base assembly 1260may be pivotably coupled to the lower seat base assembly 1262. A seat,such as seat 52 in FIG. 3, may be coupled to the upper seat baseassembly 1260 in any conventional manner. FIG. 15 illustrates aperspective bottom view of the assembly 1200 shown in FIG. 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16A-16C, a floor latch 1266 isoperatively connected on the lower seat base assembly 1262 for latchingseat base assembly 1200 to the floor base assembly 76. The floor latch1266 is actuated by a foot of the user or by other means. The floorlatch 1266 includes a connecting arm 1268 having a flange 1270configured to actuate the latch 1266 with pressure. The floor latch 1266is rotatably coupled to the frame of the lower seat base portion 1262 ata pivot location 1272. Downward pressure at the flange 1270 engages thelower seat based assembly to the floor as described above with regard tofloor latch 1212.

FIG. 16A illustrates a perspective bottom view of the floor latch 1266coupled to the seat base assembly of FIG. 15. The floor latch 1266includes a latching mechanism 1273 further illustrated in a side view ofFIG. 16B and of FIG. 16C. Upon activation of the connecting arm 1268, ahook 1274 is moved to engage the floor pin as shown in FIG. 16C tosecure the seat to the floor. When the arm 1268 is pushed towards thefloor, the arm 1268 rotates about the pivot 1272 and moves a rod 1275through a path 1276 defined by the frame 1238 of the lower seat baseassembly 1262. In one embodiment, the path 1276 is arcuate. Otherconfigurations are contemplated. The rod 1275 extends between sides ofthe frame 1238 to actuate the hook 1274 and an additional hook (notshown) on the opposite side of the frame 1238. A linkage 1277 coupled toan end of the arm 1268 enables the pin 1275 to move along the path.

The arm 1274 is coupled to the pin 1275 and rotates about an axis 1278where the arm 1274 is rotatably coupled to the frame 1238. As the pin1275 moves to an end of the path 1276, the pin 1275 is captured by aclamp or latch 1279, where it is held until released.

A seat release assembly 1280 includes a seat release handle 1282configured to release the hook 1274 and the other hook located on therod 1275, each of which is located in first and second catch assemblies1284 of the lower seat base assembly 1262. The seat release assembly1280 functions in a fashion similar to the securing assembly and handle1208 described above. The hooks, in different embodiments, are similarto or the same as the hooks 102A and 102B of FIG. 7. The hooks engagepins 100 of the floor base assembly 76 to secure the seat assembly 1200to the floor. The hooks automatically engage the pins 100 when the seatis located at the base assembly 76. Pulling the handle 1282 away fromthe seat base assembly 1200 enables releasing the hooks 1274 from thepins 100 to provide for removal of the seat base assembly 1200. A cable1283 is operatively connected to the clamp 1279 that is holding the rod1275 to release the clamp 1279 from the rod 1275. Upon pulling of thehandle 1282, the clamps 1279 are released from the rod 1275 to enablethe rod to move along the path 1276. Once the rod 1275 is released, theuser pulls up on the arm 1268 to unlatch the seat from the floor.

FIG. 17 illustrates a tilt release mechanism including a tilt releasehandle 1290 which is coupled to a frame 1292 of the upper seat baseassembly 1260. Certain components of FIG. 15 are not illustrated tobetter illustrate the tilt release mechanism. The handle 1290 is similarin function to the previously described handle 1220. In this embodiment,however the handle 1290 is moved from the location described for handle1220, and is located to a side of upper seat base assembly 1260. Thehandle 1290 is coupled to a first tilt cable 1294 and a second tiltcable 1296 each of which is operatively connected to a cable 1298.Moving the handle, by pulling away from the frame 1292, for instance,adjusts the positions of a first latch 1300 coupled to the cable 1294and a second latch 1302 coupled to the cable 1296. As the handle 1290 ispulled away from the frame 1292, each of the first latch 1300 and thesecond latch 1302 open to release the upper seat base assembly 1260 fromthe lower seat base assembly 1262. Actuators 1304 (see FIG. 15) providefor the relative movement between the upper seat base assembly 1260 andthe lower seat base assembly 1262 as previously described.

In one embodiment, the latches 1300 and 1302 are latch/latch-pawl typeof latch which provide a positive lock of the upper seat base assembly1260 to the lower seat base assembly 1262.

The cable 1298 is coupled to a cable terminal device 1306, having ahousing 1308, which provides for a connection between the cable 1298 andthe cables 1294 and 1296 to operate the latches 1300 and 1302. A rockerswitch and solenoid circuit 1310 is coupled to the housing 1308 and toeach of the cables 1294 and 1296. The rocker switch is electricallycoupled to the vehicle control system, which is configured to transmit asignal to the rocker switch to activate the tilt function of the seat.In one embodiment, the control system includes user selectable inputdevice, such as a switch or a graphical user interface, to actuate thelatches 1300 and 1302 to move the seat to the tilted position.

A tilt indicator 1320 is coupled to the frame 1292 of the upper seatbase assembly 1260 to indicate to the vehicle control system that theseat is in either the seated position or the tilted position. The tiltindicator includes an arm 1322, which depending on an orientationthereof, provides an electrical signal indicating the position of theseat. When the seat is in the seated position, the arm 1322 of the tiltindicator contacts a part of the lower seat base assembly 1262 toindicate the seat is in the seated position. Once the seat is releasedto the tilted position, the arm 1322 moves away from and out of contactwith the lower seat base assembly 1262 to indicate that the seat hasmoved to the tilted position. In one embodiment, the tilt indicator 1320includes a “wobble” style switch, the electrical state of which isprovided to the control system. If the tilt indicator 1320 indicatesthat the seat is in the tilted position, the control system prevents thevehicle transmission from shifting from park to another gear, such asdrive or reverse.

In a further embodiment, electronic controls may control thearticulating movement of the seat base assembly. Moreover, the latches1220 or 1290 in different embodiments are an electromagnetic latch orany other known type of latch. A controller such as on a keychain orinside the vehicle may include a button that releases the latch to allowthe upper seat base assembly to articulate. A second button may controlthe other latch for removing the seat entirely from the vehicle.

In yet a further embodiment, the latches 1220 or 1290, or seat baseassembly 1200 may be interlocked with a function of the vehicle forsafety reasons. For example, either the latch 1220, 1290, or assembly1200 may be interlocked with a transmission of the vehicle. Controlssoftware may limit the function of the transmission (i.e., prevent itfrom being shifted into a forward or reverse range, or simply out ofpark or neutral) until the upper seat base assembly is securely latchedto the lower seat base assembly. Moreover, a similar limitation offunctionality may be used to ensure the entire seat base assembly issecurely coupled to the vehicle floor.

While transmission functionality is only one example of how controlssoftware may limit functionality of the vehicle, other examples mayinclude reducing or limiting engine speed, engine torque, shutting offthe ignition, and any other type of limitation that may be incorporatedinto the vehicle.

While exemplary embodiments incorporating the principles of the presentinvention have been disclosed herein, the present invention is notlimited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application isintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A modified OEM vehicle having an interiorfor accommodating a passenger in a wheelchair, the modified OEM vehiclecomprising: a floor base assembly; a seat; a seat base assemblyoperatively connected to the seat, the seat base assembly including alower seat base assembly configured to be coupled to the floor baseassembly, an upper seat base assembly pivotably coupled to the lowerseat base assembly; an actuator coupled to the lower seat base assemblyand to the upper seat assembly, wherein the actuator includes aretracted position in which the seat is located in a seated position andan extended position in which the seat is located in a tilted position,wherein the tilted position of the seat provides additional space forthe wheelchair within the interior of the vehicle a latch coupled to oneof the upper seat base assembly and the lower seat base assembly; a tiltrelease operatively coupled to the latch, wherein the tilt releaseactuates the latch and enables movement of the actuator from theretracted position to the extended position to tilt the upper seat baseassembly with respect to the lower seat base assembly; and a floor latchoperatively connected to the lower seat base assembly, wherein movementof the floor latch engages the lower seat base assembly in a securedposition to the floor base assembly.
 2. The modified OEM vehicle ofclaim 1 wherein the lower floor base assembly includes a mountingprojection configured to engage receivers located at the floor baseassembly upon movement of the floor latch.
 3. The modified OEM vehicleof claim 1 further comprising a seat release handle operativelyconnected to a securing assembly having hooks, wherein the seat releasehandle adjusts the position of the hooks to provide for removal of theseat assembly from the floor base assembly of the vehicle.
 4. Themodified OEM vehicle of claim 3 wherein the actuator includes acompression cylinder having one end coupled to the lower seat baseassembly and another end coupled to the upper seat base assembly.
 5. Amodified OEM vehicle having an interior for accommodating a passenger ina wheelchair, the modified OEM vehicle comprising: a floor baseassembly; a seat; a seat base assembly operatively connected to theseat, the seat base assembly including a lower seat base assemblyconfigured to be coupled to the floor base assembly, an upper seat baseassembly pivotably coupled to the lower seat base assembly; an actuatorcoupled to the lower seat base assembly and to the upper seat assembly,wherein the actuator includes a retracted position in which the seat islocated in a seated position and an extended position in which the seatis located in a tilted position, wherein the tilted position of the seatprovides additional space for the wheelchair within the interior of thevehicle a latch coupled to one of the upper seat base assembly and thelower seat base assembly; a tilt release operatively coupled to thelatch, wherein the tilt release actuates the latch and enables movementof the actuator from the retracted position to the extended position totilt the upper seat base assembly with respect to the lower seat baseassembly; and a rod coupled to one of the upper seat base assembly andthe lower seat base assembly, wherein the latch engages the rod tomaintain the upper seat base assembly in the seated position and isdisengaged from the rod upon actuation of the tilt release to move theupper seat base assembly to a tilted position.
 6. The modified OEMvehicle of claim 5 wherein the actuator includes a first compressioncylinder and a second compression cylinder, wherein in the seatedposition each of the first compression cylinder and the secondcompression cylinder are in a compressed condition, and in the tiltedposition each of the first compression cylinder and the secondcompression cylinder are in an extended position.
 7. The modified OEMvehicle of claim 6 further comprising a rod coupled to one of the upperseat base assembly and the lower seat base assembly, wherein the latchengages the rod to maintain the upper seat base assembly in the seatedposition and is disengaged from the rod upon actuation of the tiltrelease to move the upper seat base assembly to the tilted position. 8.The modified OEM vehicle of claim 7 wherein the latch engages the rodwith sufficient pressure applied to the seat when the seat is moved fromthe tilted position to the seated position.
 9. A method of providingadditional floor space in a modified OEM vehicle having an interior foraccommodating a passenger in a wheelchair, the method comprising:providing a seat supported by a seat base assembly including an upperseat base assembly pivotably coupled a lower seat base assembly;actuating a tilt release, operatively coupled the seat base assembly,from a first position to a second position; and moving the seat from aseated position to a tilted position upon the actuating of the tiltrelease.